Samsung Delivers 2nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Samples to Qualcomm

Recent reports from South Korean media indicate that Samsung's semiconductor division has provided Qualcomm with sample chips based on the new 2nm process for the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. This marks a potential rekindling of collaboration between the two companies in the wafer fabrication sector. Industry analysts predict that Samsung's 2nm process is reaching stability in both performance and yield, which could lead to increased orders from Qualcomm.

Compared to the existing 3nm process, Samsung's 2nm technology offers higher transistor density and better power efficiency. While yield issues have historically plagued Samsung's advancements, the company is working to stabilize its 2nm process through the trial production of its Exynos 2600 chipset. The recent sample provided to Qualcomm is believed to meet Samsung's internal quality standards.

Before entering a formal contract, however, Qualcomm will evaluate the sample through several stages of rigorous testing. This process typically spans several months, as Qualcomm assesses factors like power efficiency, performance, heat dissipation, yield, and overall reliability. Only after these tests, which can take anywhere from six months to a year, will Qualcomm proceed to the trial production phase. The higher the initial sample quality, the greater the likelihood of securing the contract.

Samsung and Qualcomm once had a close working relationship, but it soured in 2021 when the first-generation Snapdragon 8 chipset, manufactured using Samsung's 4nm process, experienced overheating and yield issues. As a result, Qualcomm switched its production to TSMC for the Snapdragon 8+ generation, continuing this exclusive partnership to the present.

There were rumors that Qualcomm might adopt a dual-supplier strategy for its fourth-generation Snapdragon 8 chipset, potentially incorporating a version produced with Samsung's second-generation 3nm process. However, these rumors were dispelled with the release of the fourth-gen Snapdragon 8. Now, with news of Samsung supplying 2nm chips to Qualcomm, it seems that Samsung may return as a secondary partner, handling a portion of the production for Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon processors.